Improvement in grocers  canisters



W.- H. SMITH.

v improvement in Gracers Ca nisters. NO 114 369 Patented May 2,1871.

1 mm cnhz M M --m ritniirii $21125 fitted @ffitt.

WILLIAM E. SMITH, or PORTLANR'GONNEGTIOUT, Assreuoa'ro THE HEATH & SMITH MANUFACTURING ooMPANY, or SAME PLAoE.

LettersPatent No. 114,360, dated May '2, 1871.

IMPROVEMENT IN GROCERS CANISTERS.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the lame.

To all whom it may concern:

' Be it known that 1, WILLIAM H. SMITH, of Portland, in the county of Middlesex, State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improve- .ments-in Grocers Canisters.

The object of the invention is to allow the nesting the top, and a flat permanent cover over the remainder of the top, is a familiar article of manufacture, and is used in grocery-stores in all parts of the Union.

The improved construction presents precisely the same appearance, and serves in all respects the same purposes when in use; but that portion of thetop which is usually fixed 'is, in this improved construction, hinged, and is capable, in common with the other or ordinarily-hinged portion, of being opened and folded back. This movement opens the whole top ofthe canister, and allows another of a little smaller dimenshipped, and delivered at a lower price than has been possible heretofore, by reason of the diminished space occupied and the decreased charges for freight, and,

I also, by reason of the smaller number of packingboxes required.

The following is a description of what I consider the best means of carrying out the invention. v,

' The accompanying drawing forms a part of this specification.

Figure 1 is a central vertical section of a single canister. It is in the closed condition, but without the fiat portion of the top having been locked down. It is ready to be entirely opened.

Figure 2 is a section on line S S in fig. 1, with flat part of the top locked down.

Figure 3 is ahorizontal section of a fullset nested together.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts inall the figures.

A is the main body of the canister;

A is the fiat or level portion of the top; and

B is the part which is ordinarily hinged.

The canister may be made and ornamented in any desired style in regard to the swell of the front, the proportions of the height to the horizontal dimensions, 860.

, The drawing represents what is the ordinary standard style. I It is richly decorated on the exterior, and may be lettered to indicate the contents-the different spices, 8m.

The portion B may be of the ordinary construction and arrangement in every respect. It is hinged to the portion Af by the ordinary hinges; but the portion A instead of being soldered fast at the back and sides to the main body A, is made a little stiffer than usual, and is hinged at the back and provided with fastening-plates a. a, which are fixed at right angles on the inside of the part A, near each end, and are made to match nicely into corresponding slots a in a lip, A, which is turned inward at the upper edge of the main body, as represented.

The canisters are packed one within the other, with their respective tops A B in their proper positions, but with the parts a fitting loosely in their respective slots to in the lips A.

In unpacking the goods the entire top B and A- of the largest canister is opened and the entire contents are removed. The part A of the large canister is now folded down to its place, so that the plates a 11 extend down fairly through their respective slots a. Now, by means of the' fingers or any suitable tool, these plates 11 are bent into a horizontal position below the lips A, and the top A is thus securely locked down, and thereafter serves as a permanent fixed cover to that part of the canister, the same as if it were soldered in position, allowing the .portion B only of the top to serve as a hinged topin all the proper usage of the canister.

The same operation is performed with the other interior carrister:sthat is to say, the next (the second size) has its entire top opened like the first, and the contained canisters are removed, and the top of each in succession is thus permanently adjusted.

It will be rarely required to ever repack a set of canisters after they have been first unpacked; but if this should ever be necessary the platesa may be again straightened out and withdrawn from their slots a and the entire operation repeated.

The plates,a are of small mass, and I prefer to make them of soft copper, to allow them to be bent and straightened many times without breaking, if such should be required. A i

The mode of fastening is very light, cheap, efiicient, and convenient.

I claima.

The nesting-canister herein described, having the inclined flap or cover B hinged, as usual,'and having the additional portion .A also hinged, and secured and released at pleasure, so as to serve substantially as and r the purposes herein set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hams in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WM. E. SMITH.

Witnesses:

0. G. Lrvmes, OHAs. S. GoL YnB. 

